Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway information
Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway
Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway
Route information
Maintained by CDOT
Length
115 mi[1] (185 km)
Existed
1993–present
Major junctions
South end
SH 82 in Aspen or SH 82 / US 24 2 miles (3 km) north of Granite
North end
I-70 exit 171 2 miles (3 km) north of Minturn or I-70 exit 195 at Copper Mountain
Location
Country
United States
State
Colorado
Counties
Eagle, Lake, Pitkin, Summit
Highway system
Scenic Byways
National
National Forest
BLM
NPS
Colorado State Highway System
Interstate
US
State
Scenic
The Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway[1][2][3] is a National Scenic Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in the high Rocky Mountains of Eagle, Lake, Pitkin, Summit counties, Colorado, United States. The 115-mile (185 km) byway showcases the two highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains: Mount Elbert at elevation 14,440 feet (4,401.2 m) and Mount Massive at elevation 14,428 feet (4,398 m). The byway connects with the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway at the junction of Colorado State Highway 82 and U.S. Highway 24.
The byway has two northern extensions. The northwestern extension extends from the historic mining town of Leadville over Tennessee Pass to Interstate 70 near Minturn. The northeastern extension extends from Leadville over Fremont Pass to I-70 at Copper Mountain. The two extensions can be driven together as a tour from I-70 to Leadville and back to I-70.
The byway crosses the Continental Divide at Independence Pass at 12,095 feet (3,687 m) elevation, Fremont Pass at 11,318 feet (3,450 m) elevation, and Tennessee Pass at 10,424 feet (3,177 m) elevation. Independence Pass is closed from October to May. The gold mining ghost town of Independence is a historic townsite 2.2 miles (4 km) west of Independence Pass. The Leadville Historic District is a National Historic Landmark. History Colorado operates the Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin in Leadville. The City of Leadville is the highest incorporated city in North America with a downtown elevation of 10,152 feet (3,094 m).
^ ab"Top of the Rockies". Colorado Department of Transportation. 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
^"Top of the Rockies". Colorado Tourism Office. 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
^"Top of the Rockies". America's Scenic Byways. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
and 25 Related for: Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway information
A NationalScenicByway is a road recognized by the United States Department of Transportation for one or more of six "intrinsic qualities": archeological...
The Peak to Peak ScenicByway is a 55-mile (89 km) National Forest ScenicByway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Gilpin, Boulder, Larimer...
The Mount Evans ScenicByway is a 49-mile (79 km) National Forest ScenicByway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Clear Creek and Jefferson...
The Flat Tops Trail ScenicByway is a National Forest ScenicByway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Routt, Garfield, and Rio Blanco counties...
The Lariat Loop NationalScenic and Historic Byway is a NationalScenicByway and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Jefferson County, Colorado...
The San Juan Skyway Scenic and Historic Byway is a 236-mile (380 km) All-American Road, National Forest ScenicByway, and Colorado Scenic and Historic...
Underground Railroad. The Historic National Road ScenicByway travels from Keysers Ridge to Baltimore along the historic route oftheNational Road, a road that...
as the Santa Fe Trail NationalScenicByway. The Santa Fe Trail was a transportation route opened by the Indigenous people of North America as well as...
The Guanella Pass ScenicByway is a National Forest ScenicByway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Clear Creek and Park counties, Colorado...
The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is a 188-mile (303 km) NationalScenicByway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Prowers, Bent...
The Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway is a NationalScenicByway, a Back Country Byway, and a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Fremont...
height. The 27-mile (43 km) Park Loop Road leads to many scenic viewpoints along the coast, through forests and to thetopof Cadillac Mountain. The road...
Road/Beaver Meadow NationalScenicByway, an All-American Road. With a high point at 12,183 feet (3,713 m) elevation, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous...
comprise: The 366-mile (589 km) Trail ofthe Ancients NationalScenicByway in San Juan County, Utah; The 116-mile (187 km) Trail ofthe Ancients Scenic and...
The Colorado River Headwaters NationalScenicByway is an 80-mile (129 km) NationalScenicByway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Eagle...
The High Desert Discovery ScenicByway is a 127-mile-long (204 km) scenic highway in the southeastern part ofthe U.S. state of Oregon. It runs through...
The West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway is a 205-mile (330 km) National Forest ScenicByway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Delta...
(810 million liters). The public can also visit the Glade Top Trail NationalScenicByway, which offers views of over 30 miles (48 km) to the Boston Mountains...
The Frontier Pathways is a 103-mile (166 km) NationalScenicByway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in Custer and Pueblo counties, Colorado...
Today, a NationalScenicByway, U.S. Highway 14A, winds through the canyon. This area is truly a crossroads, and trees and plants from Rocky Mountains...
The Alpine Loop Back Country Byway is a rugged 63-mile (101 km) Back Country Byway and Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway located in the high San Juan...
Global Information
SH 82 in Aspen or
SH 82 / US 24 2 miles (3 km) north of Granite
I-70 exit 171 2 miles (3 km) north of Minturn or
